LV planning panel adopts new rules

In an effort to shorten meetings and provide better service to residents, the Las Vegas Planning Commission Thursday night began its new policy of quarterly meetings to review amendments to the city's general plan.

In the past, commission meetings would drag on because of items dealing with the general plan, which often are submitted by developers who want zoning changes.

"Oftentimes if we had three general plan amendment items on the agenda, we knew it would be a long night," Commissioner Leni Skaar said. "We were seeing meetings lasting until 2 a.m."

To avoid that, the commission will hear all general plan items quarterly, which Skaar says will help commissioners.

"Some of the commissioners are at work at 7 a.m., so you can imagine that a meeting that lasts until 2 a.m. on top of that would be tough," Skaar said. "When meetings last that long it becomes hard to stay alert for the later items, which are just as important."

The quarterly meetings also allow the city to make sure developers asking for amendments meet with the affected residents before the item comes before the commission.

In the past a general plan amendment could be continued for several meetings so city staff, developers and residents would have a chance to discuss it, but with three months between meetings the items aren't continued as frequently.

"Now there is time for all sides to see each other's concerns and try to work them out," Skaar said. "Hopefully the quarterly meetings will also reduce the number of times neighbors have to come down to see site plans and make the process friendlier all the way around."

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